Champion in Rio: Báez achieves an elusive brand even for Nadal and Alcaraz | ATP Tour

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Champion in Rio: Báez achieves an elusive brand even for Nadal and Alcaraz

The Argentine reaches seven titles in the ATP Tour

February 23, 2025

With just a victory in the year before the start of the week, it seemed even far -fetched to think that Sebastián Báez would find his best version just in the Open Rio presented by Claro, the event he won in 2024. Much more considering that anyone in history had He could successfully defend a title in this ATP 500: neither Rafael Nadal nor Carlos Alcaraz, who fell short in their respective title defenses in other editions of the Tournament

However, the highest level of the Argentine has reappeared just during these days when he defended a lot of points (500) and when the pressure of being the current champion could weigh more than ever. No. 31 of the PIF ATP Rankings has once again stayed with the largest trophy of this contest thanks to a dream campaign that has crowned Sunday overcoming 6-2, 6-3 to French Alexandre Muller.

A year ago he stayed with the biggest title his career. Twelve months later, he repeats, and with a tennis that allowed him of players such as the local Joao Fonseca and the Argentine ‘Fran’ cerú.

His performance this Sunday was the most dazzling in the week. He needed just an hour and 26 minutes to defeat No. 60 of the ranks. His only moment of crisis consisted of losing the serve in the 2-1 of the second set, but in 3-3 he was going on top and, from there, he only lost three points on the road No. 97 of his career. Almost all have achieved them in clay.

More ATP victories over clay since the beginning of 2022

“I am very proud of the whole week,” Baez said in his interview on the court. “I am very happy for every game. I did my best, trying to do my best at every point.”

“Of course the finals are different because you want to win the tournament. I tried to concentrate on the game. That is the most difficult part of the finals, but the support of my coach and the team was very important.”

Now with 6-3 record in the season, the world No. 31 is ready to embark on a new intention to defend a title, when you debut next week at the Movistar Chile Open, a tournament that won in 2024 beating the local Alejandro Tabil in the match for the championship.

Did you know that …?
Báez now has a 7-2 record at the end of the circuit. In addition, he is the third man who defends his 2024 title this season after Jannik Sinner at the Australia and Ugo Humbert Open in Marseille.